It was a harvest of tributes as the world stands still in the celebration of the good and impactful life of the Nigerian preacher and the late Senior Pastor of the Synagogue Church, Prophet T. B. Joshua.
As part of the commendation service for the late cleric, one of Africa’s most influential preachers, Tuesday July 6, was specially reserved for all to pay tributes to the fallen man of God, and it was very clear that the entire world was fully represented.
There were delegates from all walks of like, from business, politics, entertainment, sports, from the privileged and the less privileged, all were there to celebrate the good works of the priest in his close to six decades of existence. Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua died at the age of 57.
Who’s Who?
The list is intimidating locally we have Aare Gani Adams the leader of OPC and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, also a kinsman of Prophet Joshua from Arigidi Akoko, Ondo State, Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s former Minister for Aviation, the Nollywood team led by Femi Branch with Fadeyi Oloro and Ronke oshodi Oke in attendance, Timi Dakolo who later led in rendering some numbers at the Night of Service of Songs, Osagie Obayuwana, President of Committee for Defence Human Rights; from the international community were men and women of God, singers, polical leaders, business men and women, such as Willard Mswati Gomani, a Malawian traditional ruler, Pastor Gerardo Montejano from Mexico, Dr Roussan Jr. Etienne of White House Prayer Of Our Nation (USA) were all there to pay tributes to the late philanthropist.
“Our lives were not without trials and tests,” Wife, Evangelist (Mrs) Evelyn Joshua
In her own tribute, the wife of the late preacher, Evangelist (Mrs) Evelyn Joshua described her husband as a man who was dedicated to his divine call.
She said, “The lion himself, I have spent 31 years with my husband, T.B.J, the man in the synagogue, that is the name I fondly call him. Our lives were not without trials and tests and as a Christian, I know trials and tests cannot break the one who relies on God’s strength.
“You taught me to know that tests and trials are the soil on which our feet flourishes. Your vision remains clearer to me with time and without distractions.
“As I watch, see you labour with passion with dedication, hard work to grow from an eight-membership assembly sitting on a mat to wooden chairs and to the level which we are today unto the glory of God.”
She expressed appreciation to him for “shielding me from those who came to our home with ulterior motives and because you did not give in to their guilt desires, they are bent on soiling your noble name yet you were undeterred.”
Serah, Promise, and Heart, his daughters
His three children, Serah, Promise, and Heart said he would be missed by the church, world, and family reflecting their fond memories of their father.
In Serah’s tribute to her late father, she said, “I will truly miss your wisdom, knowledge, your mystery and your humour. You have lived a life of unwavering commitment to passion and service. I have no reservations to say that my dad has the biggest heart that I know of and he was a true humanitarian to this nation. What a feat you have left for all of us to live up to.”
Promise, the second daughter of the late preacher, said his death was a piece of sad news.
“Growing up as a biological daughter of Prophet T.B. Joshua, my dad made me understand that he is on to this world. For him, life on Earth was spiritual warfare and not a place to get too comfortable like it was home.
“He spent each day like it was his last with most of his time spent at his prayer mountain focusing on executing an assignment only he seems to be in the know of what the instructions were.”
“Since I became more socially aware and more inquisitive about my dad’s life I realised that the implications of such lifestyle was that once he was done accomplishing what he was sent for he would be called back home to the one who sent him,” she said.
In Heart’s tribute to her father, the youngest daughter stated that he showed her immeasurable love.
Gani Adams, Femi Fani Kayode, Others
Chief Gani Adams, while addressing the press at the church, noted that the country has lost one of the greatest men in Africa.
“I believe we have lost one of the greatest Nigerians in Africa. He is a pastor to be reckoned with globally. It is very sad that we lost him at an early age but we love him, his centre love him. I am using this opportunity to console his wife, Evelyn I told her while leaving that I will be in touch with the family no matter the situation,” he said.
For Chief Fani Kayode, who saw Prophet T B Joshua as a man who was not just a friend and brother, acknowledged how the prophet reached out to him in 2016 when he was arrested and detained.
“In 2016, when I was detained in the cell with hardened prisoners like those of the Boko Haram, there was a day when a message came that I had a call, that a man of God wanted to speak to me, lol and behold it was Prophet T.B. Joshua. He said, ‘My brother, be strong, god is with you’ and I should believe that those who believe in God would never fail or go down. He said, in three days timeI would be released, and adding “When you are released do not forget God.
Chief Fani-Kayode also revealed how Prophet Joshua reached out to other men of influence when they were challenged, adding that he brought condolence messages form the Governors of Kogi, Bauchi, and Enugu States.
Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, the President, Committee For Defence of Human Rights revealed how he partnered with the human rights body.
“Prophet Joshua was a man of all people. He lived to meet needs, solve problems, and transform lives, people and nations. There was a time he called us as CDHR and chose us as partners, as he singled out the widows, wodowers and to take care of their needs.
He partnered us in reaching out in the distribution of foods .We appreciate his sacrifice. We are inspired by his record of service to meeting needs across the world.
There were other testimonies of how the prophet lifted up many people in hopeless situations, physically and spiritually, those he gave food, money, scholarships, like Dr. Olayinka Oduwole, Madam Bola and her daughter Morayo, and a host of others.
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